President Shimon Peres said Thursday in an interview with Israel’s
Channel 2 News that Israel alone should not and cannot attack Iran’s
nuclear facilities. With this statement, Peres has effectively
positioned himself in direct opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

In the interview, the president stresses: “It is clear to us that we
alone cannot do it. We can postpone it, but we know clearly that we
have to go along with America. There are questions of coordination
and timing, but no matter how much nearer the danger is growing, at
least this time we are not alone.”

In Israel’s political system, the role of president has been designed
as largely ceremonial, intended to preserve the balance of Israel’s
democracy. President Peres’s decision to oppose the Prime Minister,
who holds the executive powers, is a deviation from decades of
tradition, and may result in some harm to the institution of the
presidency itself.

Peres also addressed the commitment of President Barack Obama to
Israel in connection with an attack on Iranian nuclear
facilities. “This is an American interest, and he (President Obama)
sees this interest,” clarified the president. “Obama is not saying
this just to please us.”

The president added that “Israel must rely on herself, but that does
not mean she should give up on friends. When I say that I have a
right to self-defense, it does not mean that I must be angry with
everyone, whatever for?”

During the day, Thursday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak addressed the
possible attack on Iran in the Knesset plenum, explaining why this
action was necessary. He said that dealing with a nuclear Iran would
be difficult, expensive and more dangerous. He added: “The decision,
as required, will be made by the Government of Israel, not by groups
of civilians and not even by editorials.”